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Owning your time: becoming a flexible worker

Flexible working sounds like a dream to many trapped in their nine-to-five routine. How to move from traditional job searching to this emerging trend?

The 2015 European Working Conditions Survey found that only 30% of workers in the UK have access to some sort of flexible or remote schedules.

"Flexibility helps workers better navigate between the demands of work and family life, which increases wellbeing, job satisfaction, motivation and loyalty towards the company.” Dr. Heejung Chung from the University of Kent.

The Financial Times Lexicon defines flexible working as offering employees “flexibility on how long, where and when they work”.

There are numerous options: working from home, part-time shifts, compressed hours during the work week and flexitime, where the start and end work hours are chosen within agreed limits.

Most people in employment believe they can only access flexible working through human resources policies, which usually require supervisory approval. More often than not, they face push back or rejection.

The truth is, companies have little room to deny requests from their employees. The UK government website clearly states: “All employees have the legal right to request flexible working - not just parents and carers.” As long as they have worked for at least 26 weeks for the same employer, anyone can make a statutory application.

Going flexible before starting a job

Instead of going through the hassle of negotiating a flexible schedule after joining a company, more people are subscribing to specialized job search websites, like FlexiJobs.com, where employers only advertise flexible positions.

Users can browse through hundreds of postings and sign-up to receive tips on how to prepare resumes and interviews for this job market.

Do you want to become a flexible worker and enjoy an improved quality of life? Click here for more information.